Item for convertible luggage

ABSTRACT

An item of luggage such as a brief case, comprising a main carrying component having a top opening which is closeable by a flap extending from the top of one side which can be secured by a fastener to the other side and further comprising at least two straps linked by adjustable linkages at each end of each of them so as to permit adjustment of the total lengths of the straps, the straps being mounted in such manner that in a short configuration it provides a handle and when in a long configuration it may act as a pair of shoulder straps enabling a user&#39;s arms to be inserted between the strap and the carrying component.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a briefcase or other item of luggage. In particular it relates to an article that converts between different carrying modes and is designed to reduce the risk of theft of items being carried in the luggage item by suitable positioning of its opening or openings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Backpacks are very convenient ways of carrying one's belongings. However, the normal appearance of backpacks is such that one may not wish to carry one's papers in them for an important business meeting or to attend any event where a tidy and professional appearance is a concern. The lack of awareness and view of the access to the interior of the backpack by the wearer makes theft of items from pockets or other container elements on the outer surface relatively easy.

Published U.S. Patent Application 2008/0314948 (Cheryl F. Cohen) describes a theft deterrent backpack including at least two panels forming a main compartment. The at least two panels include a back panel and a second panel, other than the back panel. The backpack also includes a releasable securing device for accessing the main compartment; the releasable securing device, for example, a zipper, having a beginning end and a terminating end. Preferably, the terminating end of the releasable securing device is disposed on the back panel and the beginning end is disposed on the second panel such as the front panel, side panel or bottom panel. When the backpack is worn, positioning of the releasable securing device in such a configuration deters access to the terminating end of the releasable securing device and hence access to the main compartment.

U.S. Published Patent Application 2008/0237288 (Marissa Hamilton) describes a backpack having increased security features that help prevent the theft of objects stored in the interior portion of the backpack and in the external pockets. In particular, the backpack includes a security cover flap that is disposed to prevent access to the closing mechanism of the interior portion of the backpack. The security cover includes a latch portion that is secured to the first surface of the backpack, proximate to the wearer to prevent a criminal from accessing the closing mechanism, opening the backpack and stealing items from the interior. External pockets are provided on the front surface of the backpack, proximate to the wearer's body making them and the objects contained therein inaccessible to other people.

U.S. Published Patent Application 2007/0246499 (Libor Marik) describes a backpack with more than one shoulder strap, which allows the wearer to reconfigure the shoulder straps while wearing, swing the backpack around to the wearer's front, and access the contents of the backpack, while still wearing the backpack.

U.S. Published Patent Application 2006/0032883 (Kenneth Mario Moreno et al.) describes a backpack having at least one main internal storage compartment which extends over at least a major portion of the internal volume of the backpack and which is accessible only via an opening on the rear face of the enclosure which rests against the user's back when the backpack is carried. The opening is closed by a releasable fastener such as a zipper, and may be further covered by a flap. A set of primary carrying straps extend from the enclosure for securing the backpack about a wearer's body for carrying purposes. The front face and sides of the backpack may have flaps, zippers and the like for simulating the front of a conventional backpack, and these may be fake or may provide access to smaller compartments or pockets for carrying non-valuable items.

U.S. Published Patent Application 2005/0199658 (Delores J. Brown et al) describes a backpack that is a flexible pack adapted to be carried on a person's back and is designed to be worn only in a reversed position, the straps being attached in such a manner that the pack can only be worn in this backward position. The pack is designed with a large flap covering the two exterior front zippered pockets, the flap pocket, the handle, the flap lock and the pack drawstring. This design makes the backpack comfortably smooth on the front side facing the bearer. The unadorned back surface of the pack faces out. The flap underside has a zippered opening accessible only when the flap is lifted which is designed to hold airline tickets, etcetera. A flexible handle under the flap enables the bearer to hold the bag while accessing the exterior pockets and flap pocket. The backward design and covering flap make this pack secure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bag comprising a main carrying component of generally hexahedral shape having the two surfaces having larger areas than the others, which larger surfaces are generally parallel with each other, said carrying component having a top opening which is closeable by a flap extending from the top of one of the larger surfaces and which can be secured by a fastener to the other of the two larger surfaces, said item of luggage further comprising at least two straps linked by adjustable linkages at each end of each of them so as to permit adjustment of the total lengths of the straps, said straps being secured to said carrying component on the surface bearing said fastener, said surface further bearing at least two collinear slider members located toward the top of the surface and spaced apart sufficiently that in use they may be located with one on each side of a users shoulders and thorough which said strap passes, said strap being mounted in such manner that in its short configuration it provides a handle protruding above the top of the carrying component and when in its long configuration it may act as a pair of shoulder straps enabling a user's arms to be inserted between the strap and the carrying component. Typically a further handle will be provided on the opposite surface of the luggage item.

The luggage item of the present invention can therefore act as a dual purpose backpack and brief case. It can be made of material typically used for professional brief cases such as leather. Furthermore, if desired by suitable adjustment of the strap, the bag can be carried over only one shoulder and so used as a shoulder bag in addition to use as a backpack, purse or brief case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of one type of luggage item of the present invention in briefcase mode.

FIG. 2 is a view of one side of such a luggage item of the present invention in briefcase mode.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the other side a luggage item of the present invention in briefcase mode.

FIG. 4 is a view of such an item in backpack mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The luggage item of the present invention comprises a carrying component of generally hexahedral configuration 1. Typically this may be similar to the body of a conventional briefcase and may be made of any suitable material such a leather, pig shin or a suitable synthetic material. For example it may be from 16 to 20 inches in length , 4 to 7 inches in depth and 10 to 14 inches in height, although other proportions and sizes may be selected if desired. Children's luggage items will be proportionately smaller. It is not necessary that each of the surfaces is rectangular nor that opposite surfaces are strictly parallel to each other although it will normally be convenient for them to be so. As shown in FIG. 1, however, the ends may if desired be trapezoidal in shape. Mounted on the carrying component is a pair of straps 2, 3. These also may be made of a convenient material such as leather, pig skin or a synthetic. The length of the pair of straps may be adjusted by use of a pair of buckles 4

The length of the pair of straps and their mounting may vary. In the embodiment shown, a pair of straps is mounted on the carrying member 1 by means of four pairs of slider members 5 , 5′, 6 and 7, each member of a pair being collinear with the other member of the pair. Slider members 5 and 5′ are located at the bottom of the carrying component and hold the straps in place as they pass under the carrying component, Slider members 6 and 7 are mounted close to the top of the front and rear walls of the carrying component. By adjustment of the length of the straps 2, 3 using the buckles 4, the total strap length may be set at lengths appropriate for use of the luggage item as a brief case, a backpack or a shoulder bag. As shown in FIG. 4, when used as a backpack, the straps will be set at a length that will permit each of a users arms to be inserted between the carrying component and the straps. When being used in brief case mode, the total length of the pair of straps will be shortened so that parts of the straps, 8, will protrude above the top 9 of the carrying component so as to from handles. When used in a shoulder bag mode, the length of the straps will be adjusted so that thy can pas over one shoulder of the user.

The top the carrying component is in the form of a flap 10 which passes over the top of the component and extends down the wall 11 of the carrying component. The end of the flap bears a fastener element that can cooperate with a compatible fastener element mounted on said wall to form a fastener 12. The fastener may be of any convenient type including traditional mechanical locks and magnetic fasteners The end of the flap and the fastener will when the luggage item is being used as a backpack be located on the body-facing side of the luggage item.

As an alternative to use of a pair of straps as described above, instead of having straps pass under the bottom of the carrying member, separate straps may be mounted on each of the front and rear wall thereof and a separate adjustment means located on each side. 

1. An item of luggage comprising a main carrying component of generally hexahedral shape having the two surfaces having larger areas than the others, which larger surfaces are generally parallel with each other, said carrying component having a top opening which is closeable by a flap extending from the top of one of the larger surfaces and which can be secured by a fastener to the other of the two larger surfaces, said item of luggage further comprising at least two straps linked by adjustable linkages at each end of each of them so as to permit adjustment of the total lengths of the straps, said straps being secured to said carrying component on the surface bearing said fastener, said surface further bearing at least two collinear slider members located toward the top of the surface and spaced apart sufficiently that in use they may be located with one on each side of a users shoulders and thorough which said strap passes, said strap being mounted in such manner that in its short configuration it provides a handle protruding above the top of the carrying component and when in its long configuration it may act as a pair of shoulder straps enabling a user's arms to be inserted between the strap and the carrying component.
 2. A luggage item as claimed in claim 1, wherein a further handle is provided on the opposite surface of the luggage item.
 3. A luggage item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said straps are mounted on said item by use of at least four pairs of slider members each member of a pair being collinear with the other member of the pair, at least two pairs of such slider members being located at the bottom of the luggage item and at least one pair being mounted close to the top of each of the two largest surfaces of said carrying component.
 4. A luggage item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrying component has the dimensions of a brief case.
 5. A luggage item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the flap and the fastener will when the luggage item is being used as a backpack be located on the body-facing side of the luggage item. 